Contracts for Cape Streetscape Project approved

February 14, 2017

City Council voted unanimously Monday night to enter into two contracts relating to the Streetscape Project on Southeast 47th Terrace, one for professional design services with CPH Inc. and another for negotiating with Chris-Tel Company to act as a project construction manager on the work.

The $9 million project calls for complete renovation of sidewalks, landscaping, underground utilities, streetlighting and traffic calming measures in the city's entertainment district.

CPH will be paid up to $635,000 for complete design services of the project, including infrastructure, stormwater and drainage. CPH was the preferred choice from among four firms who submitted proposals.

Chris-Tel Company was recommended by City Manager John Szerlag from two firms that submitted bids. If negotiations are successful, Szerlag would request council's approval on the contract.

Szerlag's goal is to begin construction by October 2017 with completion anticipated in the fall of 2018.

Southeast 47th Terrace has become a destination, especially at night, with a variety of night clubs, bars, restaurants and retail stores. The city and the Community Redevelopment Agency will be sharing the cost of the project.

Szerlag also won approval from council to enter into a 30-year agreement with the Florida Governmental Utility Authority to purchase and use irrigation water that the city needs for its growing population. The city would receive 1 to 2 million gallons of water per day at a rate 25 percent less than FGUA's 1,000-gallon rate charged to North Fort Myers.

"In return, FGUA agrees not to construct any injection wells near our water supply and the city will purchase irrigation water from FGUA at a very competitive rate," said Szerlag.

The city agrees to spend up to $3.5 million on improvements relating to the city's Utilities Expansion Project in the North 1 area. FGUA's contribution of $500,000 serves as a credit toward future irrigation water purchases by the city.

Cape Coral had filed for an administrative hearing against FGUA last year when it announced an intent to drill a shallow injection well in North Fort Myers near the city's water supply. The city contended that well posed a health risk and could contaminate city water. The city agreed to drop its request for the administrative hearing.

The city's agreement with FGUA has no impact on another agreement the city has made with Fort Myers to build a pipeline into the Cape for the city to acquire more irrigation water upon its completion.

Councilmember Rick Williams questioned city staff about the proposal of hiring a contractor to recoat five bridges on the Del Prado North Extention at a cost of $60,000 and how many more bridges in the city need this maintenance.

He was informed that the city only has five bridges with decorative painting and they have to be repainted about every 10 years or so.

Councilmember Marilyn Stout questioned whether the county should be responsible for the maintenance since it controls Del Prado south of Pine Island Road, but not north of Pine Island.

"Perhaps they should control all of the road," Stout said.

Councilmember Richard Leon asked staff to take a look at the city taking control of the entire length of Del Prado and report back.

Council's next meeting is scheduled as a workshop session at 4:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 27, jointly with the Cape Coral Charter School Governing Board to discuss the financial audit models.